The FDA is considering banning methylene chloride, a solvent used in decaf coffee. This change could alter how your favorite decaf brew is made. While the chemical is used in many industries, its presence in coffee is minimal. Currently, the FDA allows up to 10 parts per million. The proposed rule targets solvents in food processing, not decaf coffee itself. Alternatives like CO2 and Swiss water methods already exist. Environmental groups have backed the rule change, which could impact how decaf coffee is produced in the future.
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